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Rich Lord

@richelord.bsky.social

780 followers 390 following 400 posts

Longtime Pittsburgh journo. Managing editor at Pittsburgh's Public Source. Author of American Nightmare: Predatory Lending and the Foreclosure of the American Dream. Part of a 2018 Pulitzer-winning team. Gardener, cyclist, husband, dad.

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Reposted by Rich Lord

Chris Briem (www.briem.com) @chrisbriem.bsky.social · 1d

This! One of Pittsburgh's greater failures (IMHO) is not having a functioning land bank in the decade or two when it could have really shaped local real estate in the first decades of the 20th century.

Rich Lord @richelord.bsky.social · 1d

Cleveland crushed Pittsburgh. Cuyahoga Land Bank's offensive against abandoned properties scored 2,600 home renovations and 243 new homes built, while Pittsburgh was just getting its ground game going, @chwolfson.bsky.social reports in "The Homeownership Wall" www.publicsource.org/cleveland-ve...

Where does Cleveland clobber Pittsburgh? Its land bank.

The Steelers may best the Browns, but Cleveland’s land bank sets a model for how Pittsburgh could make more homeowners.

www.publicsource.org

Rich Lord @richelord.bsky.social · 10h

The @publicsource.org series "The Homeownership Wall" continues next week. Find all of the stories here www.publicsource.org/category/ser...

The Homeownership Wall Archives

Here’s how homeownership became a fading dream, and what it means for young Pittsburgh.

www.publicsource.org

Rich Lord @richelord.bsky.social · 10h

There are 2 renters among 31 elected City of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County officials. On the city side, it's just Councilor Bob Charland. @chwolfson.bsky.social asked about his homeownership hopes - and the barriers he hasn't yet overcome www.publicsource.org/pittsburgh-c...

City Council's lone renter is among growing group boxed out of homeownership in Pittsburgh

Councilor Bob Charland is a fierce critic of Mayor Ed Gainey’s housing policies. Unlike other public officials, he’s still in search of homeownership.

www.publicsource.org

Rich Lord @richelord.bsky.social · 1d

"The Homeownership Wall" runs throughout October on @publicsource.org. Find the stories here: www.publicsource.org/category/ser...

The Homeownership Wall Archives

Here’s how homeownership became a fading dream, and what it means for young Pittsburgh.

www.publicsource.org

Rich Lord @richelord.bsky.social · 1d

Cleveland crushed Pittsburgh. Cuyahoga Land Bank's offensive against abandoned properties scored 2,600 home renovations and 243 new homes built, while Pittsburgh was just getting its ground game going, @chwolfson.bsky.social reports in "The Homeownership Wall" www.publicsource.org/cleveland-ve...

Where does Cleveland clobber Pittsburgh? Its land bank.

The Steelers may best the Browns, but Cleveland’s land bank sets a model for how Pittsburgh could make more homeowners.

www.publicsource.org

Reposted by Rich Lord

Pittsburgh's Public Source @publicsource.org · 5d

In our series Job One, @richelord.bsky.social has been tracing pathways from disability diagnosis to schooling to employment. In this story, Pittsburghers share their experiences finding (and creating) meaningful work. buff.ly/aHM4d4B

How to start, or advance, a career while living with a disability

The job market can be tough for people with disabilities. These Pittsburgh services aim to support career pursuits, from cleaning to fine art.

www.publicsource.org

Rich Lord @richelord.bsky.social · 5d

For the entire @publicsource.org series "Job One: How young people with special needs enter the workforce": www.publicsource.org/job-one/

How young people with special needs enter the workforce.

www.publicsource.org

Rich Lord @richelord.bsky.social · 5d

“Appreciating things that we take for granted has helped me get through life.” Meet Geoffrey Gordon, who works through multiple disabilities as he strives to make his career in art. www.publicsource.org/pittsburgh-j...

Rich Lord @richelord.bsky.social · 7d

And if you missed yesterday's launch of @publicsource.org's "The Homeownership Wall" ... Housing price hikes in Pittsburgh have nearly doubled income increases since 2020, and student debt, aging homes are delaying the American dream www.publicsource.org/homeowner-ch...

'A really steep lift': Pittsburghers in their 20s and 30s find homeownership less and less attainable

Student debt, rising costs, aging homes and corporate buyers are making it harder for young adults to buy a home in Pittsburgh.

www.publicsource.org

Rich Lord @richelord.bsky.social · 7d

Once a homeownership haven, Pittsburgh now has a renter majority. @chwolfson.bsky.social shows the trends at the neighborhood level in 3 maps www.publicsource.org/pittsburgh-h...

Rich Lord @richelord.bsky.social · 8d

"A really steep lift" kicks off "The Homeownership Wall," a @publicsource.org series publishing this month.

Rich Lord @richelord.bsky.social · 8d

In the '90s, being a 20-something in Pittsburgh often involved homeownership. Now? More like mid-to-late 30s. @chwolfson.bsky.social analyzes the shift and its implications www.publicsource.org/homeowner-ch...

'A really steep lift': Pittsburghers in their 20s and 30s find homeownership less and less attainable

Student debt, rising costs, aging homes and corporate buyers are making it harder for young adults to buy a home in Pittsburgh.

www.publicsource.org

Rich Lord @richelord.bsky.social · 14d

We @publicsource.org asked university leaders three questions as part of "Gagging Academia," our series on academic freedom in Pittsburgh in 2025. The city has tussles over campus expression for a century. The history: www.publicsource.org/historic-pit...

6 flashpoints in the history of academic freedom in Pittsburgh

From Pitt to CMU to CCAC, Pittsburgh universities have faced clashes over speech, politics and academic freedom for nearly a century.

www.publicsource.org

Rich Lord @richelord.bsky.social · 14d

With academic freedom under attack, leaders at La Roche, Carlow and Chatham are talking about its importance. Pitt, CMU and Duquesne leaders - not so much. www.publicsource.org/pittsburgh-u...

Academic freedom is under attack. How have Pittsburgh higher ed leaders responded?

Universities face increased pressure from the Trump administration, and local leaders are choosing their words carefully. Here’s what some are saying.

www.publicsource.org

Rich Lord @richelord.bsky.social · 15d

Fixed, thank you!

Rich Lord @richelord.bsky.social · 15d

As the school doors open following the Carrick High stabbings, there’s more than thoughts, prayers and heightened security. Peace Makers will be working the building all day, every day. Here’s what they’ll do: www.publicsource.org/carrick-high...

‘Peace Makers’ go full-time at Carrick High following student stabbings

In the wake of Carrick stabbings, violence interrupters from the South Pittsburgh Coalition for Peace bring trauma-informed care and resources to the school.

www.publicsource.org

Rich Lord @richelord.bsky.social · 18d

The Pittsburgh Transit funding crisis is averted - for a little while. But the agency's changes at The Waterfront, driven by property owner demands, epitomize a system in retreat www.publicsource.org/pittsburgh-r...

Routes spared, but upgrades nixed in Pittsburgh Regional Transit funding fix

Pittsburgh transit riders won’t see route cuts or fare hikes as the agency diverts money for infrastructure improvements into operations.

www.publicsource.org

Rich Lord @richelord.bsky.social · 18d

Inspired to share your own Pittsburgh-area experiences and insights? Propose your own here docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

Your Pittsburgh-area story idea or tip for Public Source

This is for anyone in the Pittsburgh region (including all of Allegheny County and its bordering counties) or with information relevant to our area to share ideas, tips, stories that you think our new...

docs.google.com

Rich Lord @richelord.bsky.social · 18d

More of our first-person essays: www.publicsource.org/category/fir...

FIRST PERSON Archives

www.publicsource.org

Rich Lord @richelord.bsky.social · 18d

"Sunshine" Rave has a powerful voice sharpened by loss and homelessness. @publicsource.org takes the time to share perspectives like hers. That's one reason I appreciate the opportunity to work here. www.publicsource.org/homelessness...

Finding grace in the discarded

With a family history of addiction and a personal struggle with homelessness, Samantha “Sunshine” Rave shares how small kindnesses helped her rebuild.

www.publicsource.org

Rich Lord @richelord.bsky.social · 18d

"Now that I have a place of my own, I’ve begun to build more than just a home for myself—I’ve built space for the people I love. One of the bedrooms is set up for my daughter, waiting for her." www.publicsource.org/homelessness...

Finding grace in the discarded

With a family history of addiction and a personal struggle with violence, Samantha “Sunshine” Rave shares how small kindnesses helped her rebuild.

www.publicsource.org

Rich Lord @richelord.bsky.social · 22d

U.S. House Republicans asked universities to cut ties to China. The University of Pittsburgh is 1 of 8 that heeded the call, ending an institute that Pitt said "had run its course" www.publicsource.org/trump-admini...

Timeline: U.S. House Republicans praise Pitt for cutting China tie, the latest Pittsburgh response to D.C. higher ed action

Pitt ends partnership with a Chinese university, in latest local higher ed change under the Trump administration.

www.publicsource.org

Rich Lord @richelord.bsky.social · 22d

Allegheny County inked a contract to open two peer-led behavioral health crisis respite houses, but 19 months later the locations haven't even been identified amid negotiations with a UPMC unit. What's the hold up? www.publicsource.org/allegheny-co...

Allegheny County inching toward more peer-led mental health help

Peer-led mental health helps bring better, cheaper outcomes than hospitals. Allegheny County has a contract, but not yet a facility.

www.publicsource.org

Rich Lord @richelord.bsky.social · 22d

The Trump administration favors involuntary commitment to "long-term institutional settings" for unhoused people. Is there a better solution to behavioral health problems? @venuri.bsky.social explores peer-led models www.publicsource.org/allegheny-co...

Allegheny County inching toward more peer-led mental health help

Peer-led mental health helps bring better, cheaper outcomes than hospitals. Allegheny County has a contract, but not yet a facility.

www.publicsource.org

Rich Lord @richelord.bsky.social · 26d

Thanks to @opencampus.org for its support of this series and of @publicsource.org's higher ed coverage generally!